Team India started the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe in a grand fashion as they annihilated the hosts by 10 wickets in the first game at Harare Sports Club on Thursday (August 18).

Invited to bat first, Zimbabwe were bowled out for a paltry 189 in 40.3 overs. It was a listless performance as no batter managed to touch the 40-run mark. Skipper Regis Chakabva was the top scorer with 35.

For the visitors, seamer Deepak Chahar bowled brilliantly with the new ball as he dismissed Zimbabwe’s top three cheaply and eventually returned with the figures of 3 for 27 in his seven overs.

Prasidh Krishna (3-50) and Akshar Patel (3-24) ran through the middle and lower order, sharing six scalps between them while Mohammed Siraj (1-36) picked the remaining one wicket.

In reply, the Men in Blue overhauled the target without breaking a sweat as the opening duo of Shubman Gill (82* off 72 balls) and Shikhar Dhawan (81* off 113 balls) slammed unbeaten half-centuries and forged an unbroken 192-run stand to take the tourists over the line with 115 deliveries to spare.

The second ODI will be played at the same venue on Saturday (August 20).

Brief Scores:

Zimbabwe – 189/10 in 40.3 overs (Regis Chakabva 35; Deepak Chahar 3-27) lost to India – 192/0 in 30.5 overs (Shubman Gill 82*; Shikhar Dhawan 81*) by 10 wickets.